Lakers midseason report card: Returning reserves remain a mixed bag

This is the eighth post in a series awarding midseason grades to some of the Lakers. This centers on the returning reserves.

Player: Steve Blake

How he performed: 6.8 points on 39.4% shooting

Good: At least compared to last season, Blake has played with more aggression and with more confidence in his own shot. He opened the first 12 games averaging 7.3 points on 40.2% shooting, a sharp increase from the career-low four points he averaged last season on a 35.9% clip. As inconsistent as the bench remains, Blake has helped spur its development with by efficiently organizing the offense. The Lakers went 6-7 during his 13-game absence from a rib/sternum injury.

Bad: Blake hasn’t remained consistent with his shooting. Ever since his return to the lineup earlier this month, Blake’s shooting numbers have dropped to 6.3 points per game on 38.3% shooting. He also hasn’t proven to be a viable alternative to Derek Fisher in defending quick point guards.

Grade: C

It’s a good sign Blake hasn’t lost his confidence despite his shakier numbers since his return. It’s critical he consistently elevates his play since it’s possible the Lakers won’t upgrade their point guard needs before the March 15 trade deadline.

Player: Matt Barnes

How he performed: seven points on 44% shooting

Good: Barnes is the perfect example on why Lakers Coach Mike Brown has changed the small forward spot too many times. Barnes started off as the third reserve at small forward, then the starter for 17 games and then the backup small forward. Regardless, Barnes remained equally consistent as both a starter (7.8 points on 43% shooting, five rebounds in 16 games) and as a reserve (6.3 points on 44.9% shooting, 4.8 rebounds in 17 games). Barnes has managed to stay reasonably consistent by producing in transition, backdoor cuts and hustle plays. It also appears he’s fully healthy after rehabbing his surgically repaired right knee this offseason

Bad: Barnes remains overly aggressive on defense, and often fouls at the expense of actually guarding someone. His three-point shooting (26%) often proves unnecessary too.

Grade: B

Barnes’ play has never severely hurt the Lakers. He’s offered solid play as a role player off the bench. Considering the reserves’ inconsistencies, that’s a high compliment.

Player: Devin Ebanks

How he performed: 2.5 points on 37% in 10.3 minutes through 13 games

Good: His work ethic and potential intrigued Brown enough to give him the starting spot for the first four games. Ebanks averaged five points, three rebounds and an assists in 20 minutes during that time. Not standout numbers, but Ebanks didn’t make significant mistakes that make or broke the team. Even with the lineup shuffling, Ebanks has remained quietly determined to keep working.

Bad: After his demotion, Ebanks appeared to lack some confidence in his game. During garbage minutes, he displayed tentativeness. During his four-game stretch as a starter, Ebanks looked matched on defense.

Grade: C/Incomplete.

Ebanks has fallen out of the rotation and even spent some time in the D-League, so it’s hard to fairly evaluate him. Ebanks has potential. He just needs to play, but that’s unlikely to happen with the Lakers.

Player: Luke Walton

How he performed: 1.3 points on 42.9% shooting in 7.2 minutes through nine games

Grade: Incomplete

There’s no use evaluating Walton since most of his minutes have come in garbage time. In the Lakers’ 99-83 victory Jan. 10 over Phoenix, Walton posted six points, eight rebounds and three assists in 26 minutes. But that’s the lone example. He’s on the bench for a specific reason (slow, poor shooting stroke), yet there’s no point in critiquing that when he hasn’t shown anything.